How Country Music Sons Keep the Legacy Alive

The sons of country music legends share how they’re keeping their fathers’ legacies alive while forging their own careers in country music.

Sons of Country Music Stars

Being the son of a country music star has its perks. For example, you get to grow up in the public eye and learn from some of the best in the business. You also have a built-in fan base that will support you no matter what. However, there is a lot of pressure that comes with being the son of a country music star. You have big shoes to fill and a legacy to uphold. In this article, we will explore how country music sons keep the legacy alive.

Hank Williams Jr.

country music legend Hank Williams Jr. is the son ofcountry music legend Hank Williams Sr. He is also the father of country music star Hank Williams III. In between, he has had a long and successful career as a country music performer, with multiple Grammy awards and hit songs.

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, actor, and author. He is the son of Myrtle (née Greenhaw) and Ira D. Nelson. His paternal grandparents were William Alfred Nelson and Nancy Elizabeth Smothers. Nelson has been described as “one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century”, and he has received numerous awards for his work, including 11 Grammy Awards and the 1993 Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year for “On the Road Again”.

George Strait

George Harvey Strait Sr. (born May 18, 1952) is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. George Strait is known as the “King of Country” and is considered one of the most influential and popular recording artists of all time. He is known for his neotraditionalist country style, cowboy look, and being one of the first and main country artists to bring country music back to its roots.

George Strait’s sons, George “Bubba” Strait and Henry Boyd Strait, are both following in their father’s footsteps by making music of their own. Bubba Strait is a self-proclaimed “outlaw country” singer-songwriter who has released two albums, “Loaded” (2018) and “The Other Side” (2019). Henry Boyd Strait is a member of the duo Sons of San Antonio, who have released one album, “All My Exes Live in Texas” (2017).

The Legacy of Country Music

There’s a new generation of country music stars, and they’re the sons of some of the most famous country music legends. Some of these sons are continuing their fathers’ legacies, and others are creating their own. Let’s take a look at how these country music sons are keeping the legacy alive.

The Sound

As the sons of country music legends, it would be easy for Lukas Nelson and Micah Nelson to ride on their fathers’ coattails. Instead, the talented duo is forging their own path with a unique sound that pays homage to country, rock ‘n’ roll and blues.

The pair – who are brothers – grew up on the road with their dad, country icon Willie Nelson. Now they’re touring the world with their own band, Promise of the Real.

“We just try to make the music that we would want to hear,” Micah told Fox News. “I think people are responding to that because there’s not a lot of innovation in music these days – especially in country music. Everyone is kind of playing it safe. I think people are ready for something new.”

The Nelsons blend classic country twang with soulful vocals and a touch of rock ‘n’ roll attitude – reminiscent of Lukas’ famous father. The duo released their critically-acclaimed debut album, “Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real,” in August 2016 and scored a No. 1 song on the Billboard Country chart earlier this year with “Find Yourself.”

While Lukas has established himself as a rising star in his own right, he still looks up to his dad as an inspiration – both professionally and personally.

“My dad has always been my hero since I was a little kid, so to get to play music with him is incredible,” Lukas said ahead of his performance at Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic in Austin, Texas last year. “He taught me everything I know about being onstage and how to win over an audience… It means everything [to play together]. It feels like home.”

The Lyrics

There’s no mistaking a country song. No other genre of music can make you smile and cry, sometimes within the same verse. There’s a universality to country lyrics that touch on life’s simple pleasures and complexities. And while the sound of country music has evolved over the years, the heart of the genre remains the same.

Whether it’s a song about falling in love or losing a loved one, country music speaks to our shared experience of life. It’s the voice of the everyman and everywoman, telling stories that resonate with us all.

And as country music sons keep the legacy alive, they are carrying on that tradition of speaking to the human experience. Here are just a few examples of how today’s country artists are keeping the legacy of country music alive with their lyrics.

The Instruments

The banjo, fiddle, and steel guitar are the most commonly associated with country music, but the genre has produced some of the greatest musicians on every instrument. Here are just a few of the most famous country musicians on each instrument.

The Banjo: Earl Scruggs
Earl Scruggs was one of the most influential banjo players in the history of country music. He popularized the use of three-finger style picking, which is now the standard way to play the instrument. He was a member of Bill Monroe’s legendary bluegrass band and later formed his own group, The Earl Scruggs Revue. He released more than a dozen solo albums and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1985.

The Fiddle: Mark O’Connor
Mark O’Connor is widely considered to be one of the greatest fiddlers in the history of country music. He has won multiple Grammy Awards and is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry. He has played with some of the biggest names in country music, including Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Dolly Parton.

The Steel Guitar: Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed was one of the most popular and respected steel guitarists in country music. He also enjoyed success as a singer and songwriter, penning hits for artists like Elvis Presley (“Guitar Man”) and Hank Williams Jr. (“A Country Boy Can Survive”). Reed was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017.

Keeping the Legacy Alive

For many country music sons, continuing the family legacy is not only a part of who they are, but it’s also their passion. For some, it’s a way to connect with their father or grandfather. For others, it’s a way to keep the memory of a loved one alive. Regardless of the reason, these artists are keeping the country music legacy alive and well.

Hank Williams Jr.

Hank Williams Jr. is an American country music singer and songwriter. The son of Hank Williams and the father of Hank III and Holly Williams, he is considered a key figure in the development of country music after World War II.

Williams Jr.’s first recordings were made with his father’s band in the early 1950s. He released his first solo single, “Long Gone Lonesome Blues”, in 1954. This was followed by “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” in 1955, which became a No. 1 hit in both the United States and Canada; it remains one of his best-known songs. In 1964, Williams Jr. scored his first major hit with “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight”. He has since released over 70 albums and singles, including 32 No. 1 hits and 17 gold or platinum albums.

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson’s son Lukas is continuing his father’s musical legacy. The 25-year-old is currently on tour promoting his debut solo album, “Supply and Demand”. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real are gaining recognition for their bluesy, country-rock sound. The band has already shared the stage with Neil Young, Bob Dylan and most recently, Nelson’s godfather Julio Iglesias.

Lukas was born in Austin, Texas and grew up on his family’s farm in Spicewood. He began playing guitar at the age of seven and by thirteen he was playing gigs with his father. In 2004, he co-wrote a song with his father called “Back to Earth” which was included on Willie Nelson’s album “It Always Will Be”.

Since then, Lukas has released two albums with his band Promise of the Real. In 2015, they were featured as the backing band in the film “Dadglympics” starring Matthew McConaughey. Most recently, they toured Europe and North America with Neil Young and played at the Farm Aid concert in September 2018.

George Strait

George Strait is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the “King of Country,” and critics call him the “meaning of country music.” He is known for his neotraditionalist country style, cowboy look, and being one of the first and main country artists to bring country music back to its roots. Strait has had more than 100 number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including 60 number-one singles in a row on that chart, more than any other artist in any genre.